After attack in Halle: government decides package of measures against right-wing extremism

After the attack on a synagogue in Halle an der Saale, the discussion about growing right-wing extremism and anti-Semitism in the country has been rekindled. The Federal Government now draws consequences and intensifies the fight against law.

A nine-point plan passed by the Federal Cabinet aims to "use all constitutional means against hatred, right-wing extremism and anti-Semitism". Justice Minister Christine Lambrecht (SPD) spoke of a "moderate but very necessary package of measures".

"The threat situation from the range of the right-wing extremism and the right terrorism is high in Germany", justified interior minister Horst Seehofer (CSU) the government plans. This applies in connection with it also for the anti-Semitism. Lambrecht said that it should not be left in consternation about right-wing extremist crimes. "It can not be that hatred and hate can find a breeding ground in this country."

The program, which was jointly presented by the Ministries of Internal Affairs, Justice and Family, is about sharpening the persecution of hate in the network, strengthening the investigative authorities and developing preventive work:

• Social networks should be obliged to actively report criminal content to the security authorities in the future and, if necessary, also to publish the IP address of the users. Aggressive insults and hounding in the net should be punished harder.
• Local politicians should receive special protection against insults and libel on the Internet. For this purpose, section 188 of the Penal Code will be extended to criminalize insults against "public figures".
• A change of the reporting law is to make the publication of the addresses of civic engaged citizens more difficult, in order to protect them better against hatred and hate.
• Anyone who is a member of an anti-constitutional association should not receive a license in the future. For this purpose there should be a rule request with the protection of the constitution. "Weapons do not belong in the hands of extremists," emphasized Lambrecht.
• The protection of the Constitution and other security agencies should be better equipped for the fight against law.

Permanent support for prevention work

The Federal Government also wants to strengthen prevention against right-wing extremism. Programs to promote democracy and raise awareness of extremism, racism and anti-Semitism should be given constant support "at a high level", the Cabinet decided. So far, this is often limited. Family Minister Franziska Giffey (SPD) announced a continuation of support at the current level of 115 million euros per year initially until 2023.

"Right-wing extremism, anti-Semitism and anti-Muslim sentiment are a real danger that needs to be tackled consistently and sustainably," said the German Federal Government's Integration Commissioner, Annette Widmann-Mauz (CDU), behind the government's plans. Burkhard Jung, President of the German Association of Cities, welcomed the planned better protection for local politicians as "an important signal".

"A lot of symbolism, not very effective"

The FDP internal expert Benjamin Strasser expressed his criticism more critically. "The proposals remain rather thin and do not address the real problems of right-wing extremism in Germany," he said. Strasser demanded, among other things, the establishment of priority prosecutor's offices against hate crime and more club bans.

Of "much symbolism" and "little effective" spoke the Green politicians Konstantin von Notz and Renate Künast. They welcomed the fact that the government was finally trying to do more to counter extreme-right dangers, but much remains in the package of measures "nebulous". Better protection for journalists against hostility demanded the German Journalists Association (DJV).